NPR News Now – December 21, 2025, 4AM EST

Host: Dale Willman (NPR)
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise news brief covers key global and national stories, including escalating US actions against Venezuelan oil shipments, allegations of student mistreatment in an upstate New York school district, the confirmation of Mary Ann Carter as NEA chair amidst arts funding controversies, a deadly mass shooting in South Africa, Kylie Minogue's historic UK chart achievement, and the passing of a Pearl Harbor survivor.

Key News Stories & Discussions

1. US Seizes Second Tanker with Venezuelan Oil

[00:14–01:09]

• Escalation:
  The US Coast Guard has seized a second oil tanker allegedly carrying sanctioned Venezuelan oil, intensifying the Trump administration's pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

• Details:

  • Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem posted a video of a Coast Guard operation on the tanker Centuries, accused of transporting sanctioned oil and flying a false Panamanian flag.
  • The ship wasn't listed on the Treasury's public list of sanctioned tankers.
  • President Trump has declared a blockade on Venezuelan oil, claiming, without explanation, that the oil was "stolen from the US."
  • Blockades are considered acts of war under international law, and a US naval fleet is currently stationed off Venezuela, with Trump implying possible imminent strikes inside Venezuelan territory.

• Notable Quote:

  • “A blockade is considered an act of war under international maritime law. The US Navy currently has a fleet off the coast of Venezuela, and President Trump has suggested attacks inside Venezuelan territory may be imminent.”
    — Quill Lawrence [00:53]

2. Investigation into Alleged Mistreatment in Upstate NY School District

[01:09–02:03]

• Incident:
  Governor Kathy Hochul calls for an investigation after reports that some students, mainly from the Native American Akwesasne Mohawk community, were forcibly restrained and placed into wooden "calming stations."

• Reactions & Actions:

  • Parents raised alarms after students described being confined in crate-like boxes.
  • Governor Hochul called the reports "highly disturbing" and questioned student safety.
  • The local school district is investigating; several administrators have been reassigned or placed on leave.
  • The school board publicly apologized:
    • "We are truly sorry for the harm and trauma this has resulted for our community." — School board statement [01:52]

3. Mary Ann Carter Confirmed Again as NEA Chair

[02:03–03:09]

• Outcome:
  The US Senate confirms Mary Ann Carter to again chair the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

• Background:

  • Carter previously served as acting chair since the start of the Trump administration.
  • She pledges to ensure the arts are accessible for "all Americans, no matter who they are or where they live."
  • The NEA faces ongoing challenges: severe budget cuts, canceled grants, and staff reductions under Trump.

• Arts Community Response:

  • Erin Harkey (Americans for the Arts CEO) congratulated Carter and expressed hope she will bring stability amid "partisan political pressure, lack of transparency and constant threats of funding cuts."
    — Chloe Veltman reporting [02:56]

4. South Africa Mass Shooting

[03:09–03:47]

• Incident:
  Nine people killed and at least ten wounded after gunmen opened fire at a pub during the early hours of Sunday near 1 AM.

• Details:

  • Second major shooting in three weeks in South Africa.
  • About 12 suspects were involved, using a white minibus and silver sedan.

5. Kylie Minogue Makes Chart History with Christmas No. 1

[03:47–04:32]

• Achievement:
  Kylie Minogue beats Wham! to win the UK's Christmas number one single with her song "Xmas," making her the first female artist to top the UK charts in four separate decades.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “Her pop anthem ‘Xmas’ ... extols the glories of presents under the tree and kissing someone special out in the snow.”
    — Vicki Barker [04:01]
  • Minogue says she’ll celebrate by “obsessing over a jigsaw with her family in Australia.”
    — Vicki Barker quoting Minogue [04:16]

6. Passing of a Pearl Harbor Survivor

[04:32–04:53]

• Obituary:
  Irish Shaub, one of the last remaining Pearl Harbor survivors, has died at age 105 at home.

• Background:

  • Enlisted in the Navy at age 18.
  • Was aboard the USS Dobbin during the December 7, 1941 attack.
  • Fewer than a dozen survivors remain.

Notable Quotes

• “A blockade is considered an act of war under international maritime law. The US Navy currently has a fleet off the coast of Venezuela, and President Trump has suggested attacks inside Venezuelan territory may be imminent.”
  — Quill Lawrence [00:53]

• “We are truly sorry for the harm and trauma this has resulted for our community.”
  — School board statement [01:52], read by Brian Mann

• “I am committed to advancing the vision that the arts belong to all Americans, no matter who they are or where they live.”
  — Mary Ann Carter statement, read by Chloe Veltman [02:24]

• “Her Christmas number one makes Minogue the first female artist to top the UK charts in four different decades.”
  — Vicki Barker [04:25]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• US Seizes Venezuelan Tanker: 00:14–01:09
• Upstate NY School Investigation: 01:09–02:03
• Mary Ann Carter Confirmed as NEA Chair: 02:03–03:09
• South Africa Mass Shooting: 03:09–03:47
• Kylie Minogue’s Chart Victory: 03:47–04:32
• Pearl Harbor Survivor Dies: 04:32–04:53

This summary distills the most important headlines and voices from this NPR News Now episode, capturing the tone and urgency of the reporting while presenting key details and quotes for listeners who missed the original broadcast.